“Hey, let’s bring a birth conference to Tennessee.”
That one phrase changed everything. Rebekah Porter had bounced the idea of a Tennessee birth conference around for years, and when she brought it up to me, I shared my similar desire to see it happen. After attending a birth conference in another state (to present one of my birth films) the “what if” tone of our conversation quickly changed into something realistic. I remember discussing how the moms of Middle Tennessee need this—especially those amazing women who were too busy to or lacked the resources to do research on their own about it—those moms who wanted a more empowered birth experience, but didn’t even know it yet. We knew it was possible—that where there’s a will, there’s a way. We felt so passionate about this idea that we started out with our own funds to rent a venue and give life to the idea with only a hope and a prayer that people would come. It was a crazy gamble that actually worked, and people begged us to make another one the next year. We were grateful for the community support and the many families that attended our first year. And suddenly, something that had previously seemed like a far away dream became reality. I felt honored to be by the side of our wave-making Nashville Birth Network leader as she broke down every barrier that stood in her way and brought the Empower Your Birth conference to Tennessee for the first time in 2013.
Now, three years later, we’re once again inviting families to join us for the 3rd annual conference. All we’re asking you to do is to show up for ONE DAY—relax and enjoy a cup of coffee while listening to inspirational and self-empowering words from the best childbirth educators in the Nashville area. Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. Do it for your baby. It may just change your life. At the very least, it’ll give you the tools you need to let go of any fear you have surrounding birth.
The theme of the conference this year is a quote from Marie Mongan: “When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change.” The collection of teachers at the conference will help moms and dads do just that—see birth in a different way. The classes will help them through any labor/delivery experience whether they’re first time parents or expecting their fifth baby. We cover pregnancy to postpartum—C-section delivery, VBAC, non-medicated hospital birth, labor/delivery with epidural, home-birth, and more. The classes don’t stop with birth—there will also be education discussing parenting—babywearing, postpartum depression, herbs & oils, partner support, and so much more!
This year we’ll also be bringing the “online parenting group” idea to life through a Q&A forum/panel where attendees can ask local parents questions about their specific experiences, as well as providing a Q&A wall where attendees can post questions and contribute suggestions to already posted questions.
We’re looking forward to seeing moms and dads on March 12th at Unity of Nashville (5125 Franklin Pike)—parents from all walks of life, coming in with different ideals and expectations . . . but coming together with the common desire of an educated and empowering experience as they bring their baby into the world. Whether they join us, excited to participate in classes, browse the vendor hall, and enter to win prizes (including a grand prize valued at over $5000!) or out of simple curiosity, we welcome them! We have gathered prizes that include carseats, pack ‘n’ plays, yoga classes, daddy care baskets, and tons more.
We know that many of you are busy with a limited budget, so we created a discount just for you. Register your spot today at www.empoweryourbirth.com/register. Additionally, Nashville Mom Blog followers may use code “NashvilleMB” to get 50% off your entry ticket price!
Kalli Pavon is the Murfreesboro-based birth photographer and videographer behind Kalimana Film Stories. A Tennessee transplant in 2007 (originally from Utah), after serving a mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, she bought a house, started a business, and got married—quickly making Tennessee her new home. Alongside the Nashville Birth Network leader, Rebekah Porter, Kalli co-led the first Empower Your Birth conference in 2014. She has been very involved with parents and professionals the birth community ever since with the hopes of starting her own family (with her husband, Javier) in the near future.
